The ramblings of Paul Higginbottom, a.k.a., bitkahuna

There’s been an enormous amount of discussion, arguments, and chatter about ‘torture’. What it is, what is isn’t, and who is doing it.

Guantanamo, the U.S. military detention camp, has been loudly criticized for ‘water-boarding’ (simulated drowning) of 3 terrorists. No doubt this technique is psychnologically terrible, but whether any permanent damage is inflicted is unclear. Top level U.S. military personnel themselves are subjected to water-boarding so they’re aware of what they might be subjected to by enemies, so if one believes water-boarding is torture, then the U.S. tortures its own military. A soldier told me of a fast 25 mile walk he had to endure with 50lbs of gear on, and his bleeding feet. Is that torture? Heck, I’ve been in business meetings I’d describe as torture. Sorry, must not make light of this!

But somehow lost in the argument is what other countries do. 60 Minutes did a piece on an Iranian student’s story. He had been part of a student protest in Iran and was eventually arrested and then held and tortured for years before being released.